Combined mixing and inspection attachment for bottling machines



Mar. 13,1923.

W. B. DOE. v COMBINED MIXING AND INSPECTION ATTACHMENT FOR BOTTLING MACHINES.

FILED MA Mar. 13,1923. 1,448,617;

W. B. DOE. COMBINED MIXING AND INSPECTION ATTACHMENT FOR BOTTLING MACHINES.

FILED MAR. I, 192]. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

- eign matter.

Patented Mar. 13, 1%23.

i,i,iii

WILLIAM B. DOE, OF SKYLAND, NORTH CAROLINA.

Application. filed March 1, 1921.

To all whom it may 0012. corn- Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. Don, citizen of the United States, residing at Skyland, in the county of Buncombe and State of North Carolina, have-invented new and useful Improvements in Combined Mixing and Inspection Attachments for Bottling lvlachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined mixing and inspection apparatus in the form of an attachment or an accessory for application to standard types of bottle filling and capping machines or filling machines alone without requiring special reconstruction or reorganization of such machines to adapt the attachment thereto. It is also proposed to use the improved attachment independently or in connection with any machine to which it may be adapted for practical service.

In bottling carbonated and other beverages or liquids according to the general practice, each bottle is first supplied or charged with a flavoring extract or syrup and carbonated water or other liquid, and in view of a difference of specific gravity of said components they remain separated and require agitation to thoroughly mix the same. The bottles as thus charged are sealed or capped and disposed on and delivered by a suitable conveying device to a predetermined point, where they are manually agitated to thoroughly mix the contents thereof and also inspected to ascertain if said mixed contents are pure or without contamination or for- After this second treatmentthe bottles are finally packed for transportation or shipment, or disposed in places storage for subsequent use or shipment. This method of mixing and inspecting the contents of bottles of the character specified is very slow and unreliable and requires con siderable labor to properly perform the same at an obvious increase in the general cost of bottling beverages or other liquids.

The main purpose or object of the present invention, therefore, is to entirely obviate the necessity of individual manual handling of the bottles for the purpose of mixing and inspecting the contents thereof and pro vide for a more effective mixing and inspection to detect any impurities or Ioreign mat ter in the contents of the bottles, or leakage in the filling caps or other devices, by mechanism which is positive and expeditious in its operation.

Serial No. 448,821.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the class specified having an automatic operation and reliable in the performance of its functions with ma terially reduced manual attention, and whereby each bottle is temporarily removed from the conveying means therefor and the contents first thoroughly mixed and the bottle subsequently disposed for thorough inspection of its mixed contents to detect any impurities or foreign matter therein, and then replaced on the conveying means, with a comparatively limited interruption to the straightaway conveyance of the charged bottles from the point where they are supplied with the liquid contents and sealed or capped to a point of delivery for packing or storage.

lVith these and other objects and advantages in View which will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings to demonstrate one practical mechanism embodying the features of the invention.

In the drawings Fig. l is a side elevation of a combined mixing and inspecting attachment or apparatus embodying the features of the invention and shown operatively disposed adjacent to a bottle conveying belt.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the attachment or apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modification in the mixing device and clemonstrating the capability of the use of the inspection part of the attachment with any form of mixing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of a part of the mechanism.

As hereinbefore stated, the mechanical attachment or apparatus embodying the features of the invention is particularly adapted for use in association with a standard type of bottle filling, or bottle filling and capping machine, and as the operation of these machines is well understood it is unnecessary herein to refer to them in detail, it being deemed sufficient for the purposes of this invention to illustrate only the main conveyer belt 5, which is ordinarily used with bottle filling and capping mapacking or storage.

' The bottles B are first removed in a particular manner from the conveyer or belt 5 and caused to engage the mixing mechanism and from the latter mechanically transmitted to and pass over the inspection means or apparatus, and from the latter automatically restored to normal position and replaced upon the conveyer or belt 5. This cycle of operations is effected with each 7 fully examine the contents of the bot bottle'and all of the operations are automatic and the only manual attention required is that of an inspector, who will caretles as they move over the inspection means or ap paratu s. If the contents of any bottle is found to'be contaminated by foreign matter, or if there appears to he a leakage due to improper application of a cap, the bottle so affected may be readily removed by the inspector with material advantage in having the contents of each bottlepu're and uncontaminated and also in proper condition for packing and shipment.

Various mechanisms might be employed for e'fi'ecting the cycle of operations above specified, and those which will now be par ticularly described have been selected in view of comparative simplicity of organiza tion of the several elements thereof and effectiveness and reliability in operation. To demonstrate the essential features of the invention mechanism will now be specifically described and capable of such variations in proportions and dimensions and substitutions'of obvious equivalents as may be per mitted by the scope of the invention; 'The improved mechanism is set up or placed adjacent to the conveyer or belt 5 and comprises two rollers 6 and 7, the larger roller 6 being directly driven at a comparatively high rate of speed by a driving belt 8 extending from a source of power, not shown. The rollers'fi and 7 are each preferably composed of two spaced disks having their peripheral edges covered with rubber or other comparatively soft material capable of breaking the fall, of the bottles without lia bility of injury or fracture of the latter, and sufficiently abrasive to insure rapid rotation of the bottles instantly upon their ards or uprights 13 and 14 rising from the base 9. The inspection table 12 is trans parent and will be preferably formed of glass of suitable thickness or any other transparent material, or such material that 'will permit sufficient light to pass therethrough to render the contents of the bottles clear or transparent to such a degree as to readily discern any impurities or foreign matter that may have been deposited in the bottles with the flavoring extract or syrup and the carbonated water or other liquid. Beneath the table 12 an endless belt 13 is mounted at the same angle of inclination and engages supporting drums '14: and 15 rotatably held in the upper portions of up rights 16 and 17. The belt 13 is provided with a plurality of arms 18 standing outwardly therefrom in planes at right angles and at predetermined distances apart. The

arms 18 are long enough to reach beyond the opposite extremities of the roller 7 and to extend partially over the roller 6, so that the said arms maypractically elevate and displace the individual bottles from, the bite of the rollers 6 and and movethe bottles upwardly over the apron or directing means 11 onto the table 12, the said arms being also long enough to project above the latter table to roll the bottles upwardly over the said table. From the upper terminal of the table 12 the bottles B are rolled onto a downwardly inclined discharge apron 19 having at its lower terminal an inclined discharge chute 20 at an angle thereto, said chute having its lower end adjacent to the conveyer or belt 5 and arranged in such manner that the bottles will be restored to upright position on the belt 5Q The chute 20 is dished and has its side portions 1'e-. duced in width toward the lower end so as to give the bottles a proper clearance, and in front of the edge of the belt a guard .21 maybe used if desired opposite the lower end of the chute'20 to insure retention of the bottles on the belt, this'guard 21 being suitably supported from the adjacent upright 14. Y

The table 12 is illuminated preferably by means of electric lights 22 of any desirable form and adapted to be electrically connected toa source of electrical energy and controlled as to their activity or illumination by 'anyof the well known switchdevices or other electrical current-controlling nating means under the table 12 may in some cases be replaced by any other light-producing device, it only being necessary to have some practical form of light-producing means under the table irrespective of any particular type of such device.

The bottle displacing means for removing the successive bottles from the belt consists of a segmental arm 23 having a concave recess 24, the arm being essentially in the form of a hook and fulcrumed on a part of an upright or post 25 extending from the base or support 9. The displacing means or the segmental arm 23 is also provided with a curved guard 26 which serves as a separator, and connected to the displacer or arm is a spring 27 also attached to an arm 28 ex tending over the conveyer or belt 5 from the upright 17. The displacer or removing means is regularly actuated through the medium of an extension or projection 29 normally maintained in the path of the arms 18 by the spring 27, so that as the arms come around they strike the extension or projec- Q ti on 29 and move the said segmental arm 23 into the position shown by dotted lines against the resistance of the said spring 27, and after the extension or projection 29 is released from any one of the arms 18, it is returned to normal position, as shown in full lines, by the same spring.

In Fig. 4 a modified form of mixing mechanism is shown associated with the inspection means or organization, and with this modified form of mixing means the same type of displacer or means for removing the bottles from the belt 5 is used and has the extension 29 forming a part thereof. The modified form of mixer shown by Fig. 4; has been made the subject-matter of'a separate application duly executed and filed of even date herewith. In this modified form of mixer a carrier 30 comprising opposite disks 31 and 32 connected by cross bolts 33 is mounted on a shaft 34.- and has therein an agitating or bottle rolling means or wheel 35 provided with. a peripheral covering 36 of rubber or other suitable material to set up a frictional engagement thereof with the bottles disposed in the carrier. The bottle mixing or rolling wheel or member 35 is mounted on an independent shaft 37 driven at a relatively higher rate of speed than the shaft ofthe carrier. The carrier is provided with a plurality of pockets 38 which regularly move in receptive relation to the lower end of a downwardly inclined feed table or apron 39 on which the bottles are disposed by the displacing means or remover. The displacing means or remover in this instance has a connecting rod 40 movably attached thereto and also pivotally connected to the upper end of an actuating lever +11, which depends a suitable distance andis fulcrumed, as at 42, on a bracket 43 held by an upright 44 which supports the shaft 34, the supporting construction for the carrier being similar to that illustrated in my application above noted. The lower end of the actuating lever 41 is regularly struck or engaged by the projecting ends of the bolts 33, and when this lever is so engaged the displacer is caused to move over the conveyer or belt 5 to dispose the bottles successively moved within reach of the displacer on the apron 39 in a horizontal position. The displacer 39 also includes a spring 45 which is attached thereto and to an arm 46 pro- 'ectin u )wardl from an ad'acent .art of the frame or from an upright 4:7 which supports the table or apron 39. The spring 45 operates to restore the displacer and the parts cooperating therewith to normal position when the lever 41 is disengaged from the projecting ends of the bolts 33 adjacent thereto. The displacer will also include a suitable separating extension for maintaining the bottles in spaced relation, as fully explained in the first construction heretofore specified, and, further, the table or apron 39 will be provided with a guard 39 at its front extremity so as to insure retention of the bottles on the said table or apron. The bottles from the table or apron 39 roll into the successive pockets or seats 38 of the carrier and are lifted or bodily transferred to a discharge point, and during this transference the agitating or bottle-rolling means 35 individually operates or rotates the bottles to cause the contents of the latter to be thoroughly commingled and rendered homogeneous. "The bottles from the carrier are discharged. onto an inclined table or member 13 having its lower extremity registering with the lowermost'end of the inspection table 12, and after disposition on the table 12 the bottles are engaged by the arms 18 of the endless belt 13 and moved over the inspection table in the same manner as hereinbefore de.'-cribed. From the inspection table the bottles are successively discharged in horizontal positions onto the apron 19 hereinbefore explained, and from this apron the bottles roll into a receiver 49 of trough-like form and having a chute 50 with a lower open end 51 and a rear open side 52. as in the structure disclosed in my aforesaid application, and whereby the bottles are restored to upright positions and disposed or replaced on the conveyer or belt 5.

Either form of mixing device or mechanism above explained will subject the ingredients of the bottles to such agitation as to cause a thorough assimilation and absolute homogeneity, and as the bottles are moved over the inspection table 12 the detection of any impurities or precipitates is rendered more certain by the illumination of the table and of the contents of the bottles, and should a bottle be discovered having impurities or precipitates therein, or with a lea-king cap or closure, such bottle may be readily removed from the table without interfering with the remaining bottles, thereon.

As the bottles are moved upwardly over the table 12, a rolling movement is imparted thereto by the arms 18 of the endless belt 13, and every part of the contentsofjthe bottle are thus brought to the-full view of the inspector. In the first construction and arrangement of mixingmechanism as particularly shown by Figs. 1 and 2, the l0,(, .l fl1 a,v after being rapidly rotated forua'short predetermined period of time, are successively elevated by contact with the inclined apron or directing means 11 and incidentally ,de-. celerated before being advancedto the inspection table 12 located t ahigher level. In practice the movement of the endless belt 13 with the arms 18 and of the mechanism generally will be so determined as to be properly timed with relation to the move.- ment of the conveyer .or belt 5, so that the operations of the several mechanisms may i. be carried out with precision and without Y interference between successive bottles;v

That is claimed as new is: i i

1. Bottle content mixing and inspecting mechanism comprising a main conveyer adapted to progress-filled bottles, mixing mechanism on which the bottles are disposed, inspecting mechanism to which the bottles are delivered from the mixing mechanism,

v means interposed between the the mixing mechanism being in direct dis- IL, charging relation to one end of the inspect- 5 mixing mechanism .to which the filled bottlesare automatically delivered from thereonveyor, inspecting mechanism to which the filled bottles are directed and automatically delivered from the mixing mechanism,,and discharge point of the mixing mechanism and one extremity of the inspecting mechanism for causing. the bottles to be successively placed 7 on the inspecting mechanism.

3. In a mechanism of the class specified, a main conveyer adapted to progress filled bottles in upright position, means for temporarily turning the bottles tohorizontal position, mixing mechanismftowhich the horizontally disposed bottles are supplied,

inspecting mechanism having one extremity in direct receiving and operative relation to the mixing mechanism and to which the bottles are delivered in horizontal position from the mixing mechanism,'means being provided between-the mixing and inspect ing mechanisms for effecting a placement porarily turning the bottles to horizontal.

position, means for individually rotating the bottles while in horizontal position to effect thorough mixing ofthe contents. thereof, inspection means to which the bottles; are

automatically discharged from the mixing mechanism and over which the said bottles are slowly progressed while in horizontal position, and means forming a terminal discharge for the inspection means and operat-' ing to subsequently turn the bottles to up,- right position and replace them on the conveyer. p r f 5. An apparatus of the class specified comprising a main conveyeroperating to progress filled bottles in upright position, an inspection table to which the bottles are horizontally delivered from' 'the conveyer and, over which'they have movement, and means for receiving the horizontally. disposed bottles from the inspection table and turning them into, upright positionand'also replacing them upon the conveyerf 6.. A mechanism of the class specified, comprising a conveyor belt; for regularlyprogressing filled bottles :in upright positions, an inspecting table for receiving: the

- bottles havin means for progressing the bottles in horizontal position along'the said table, and means interposed between the conveyor and the inspecting table for disposing the bottles in horizontal position and de hvering them to the inspecting table. .7. A mechanism of the class specified,

comprising a conveyor for regularly "pros gres s-ing filled bottles in upright positions, an inspecting table pitched at; aslight in clination to the horizontal I and provided with meansfor progressing the bottlesin horizontalposition along-the said table in a direction counter to the' inc lination of the latter, and meanshinterpo'sed, between the conveyor andthe inspecting table for automatically receiving and disposing the bottles p horizontal position (and delivering themto themeans for progressingvthe bottles over the inspecting table. e vi 8. A mechanism of the class. specified, comprising a transparent inspectingtable having lighting Imeans, a main conveyor operatingto progress filledbottlesinfupright position, means-interposed between the conveyor and the inspecting table for dis- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set posin the bottles in horizontal position and my hand in presence of two subscribing delivering them to the inspecting table, and Witnesses.

means for receiving the horizontally disi WILLIAM B. DOE. 5 posed bottles from the inspecting table and Witnesses:

turning them into upright position and re- HENRY C. GUDGER,

placing them upon the conveyor. JAMES M. COLEMAN. 

